Clothes drier



Dec. 31, 1929. w. J. COULTER 1, 4

CLOTHES DRI ER Filed July 8, 1929 Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNETEE STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOTHES DRIER Application filed July 8, 1929.

This invention relates to clothes driers of the type in which a frame strung with a suitable clothes line is revolubly supported. on a post and is adapted to be lowered to a convenient height for the hanging of the clothes and thereafter raised to the drying position, and my object is to devise a satisfactory drier of this type which will be of the least expensive construction possible. I attain my object by means of constructions which may be briefly described as follows: A square post is provided adapted at its lower end to be received in a suitable socket or a hole in the ground. This post carries two screw eyes which form bearings for a hollow spindle carrying the clothes line frame. This spindle is supported by a step hanger of special construction as hereinafter described, which is raised and lowered by 2 0 means of a winch supported on the post and adapted to actuate a cable passing over a sheave in the post and connected to the hanger aforesaid.

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a clothes drier constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2' a front elevation of parts of the same on an enlarged scale;

' Fig. 3 a rear elevation of parts of the same on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 a plan view of the step hanger; and

Fig. 5 a vertical section of the same.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is a post which is of square cross-section and is shown as inserted in a socket 2, which as is usual will be substantially flush with the surface of the ground where the drier is erected. This post is provided with two bearings 3 which will usually be formed of screw eyes of standard make. In these bearings a spindle 4 is j ournalled. This spindle will usually be formed of a length of standard galvanized pipe. At its upper end are pivoted the arms 5, these arms being braced from the upper end of the post by the braces 6, which are pivoted on the arms 5, and at their upper ends are adapted to be sprung over pins 7 50 inserted in the spindle. The upper end of Serial No. 376,727.

the tubular spindle is closed'by a cap 8. The spindle 4 is supported by a step hanger of special construction which comprises a stepbearing 9 adapted to fit into the lower end of the spindle 4. This step-bearing may be formed of a length of tube 10 fitted within the lower end of the spindle 4, a piece of tube 11 sleeved on the outside of the tube 10 on the upper end of which the spindle 4 rests, and a collar 12 sleeved on the outside of the tube 11.. These parts may be secured together in any suitable manner, as for example by the pin 13. The collar 12 serves as an abutment for the clamp member by means of which the step-bearing is supported. This clamp member is preferably formed of an integral metal strap which is doubled on itself to pro vide at one side of the step-bearing a lug 14 of double material which is provided with a hole for the connection of a lifting cable 15, a lug 16 of double material at right angles tothe first mentioned lug adapted to engage a side of the post and intermediate single portions 17 embracing the step-bearihg and abutting the collar 12. The portions of the lug 16 are secured together by the rivet 18. Preferably also the lug 14 is extended and bent at right angles to provide a portion 19 parallel to the lug 16, and engaging the side of the post opposite that engaged by the lug 16. The step hanger thus formed is thus held from twisting when the spindle 4 is rotated, but may slide up and down on the post as a guide. It will be noted that the bearings 3 are set at one side of the center line of the side of the post from which they project. In the post is journalled a sheave 20 at the opposite side of the centre line of the side from the spindle 4. The cable 15 may thus run straight from the sheave to its point of connection with the lug 14.

A winch is provided for operating the cable 15. This winch comprises a framework 21 of U-form, which embraces the post and is secured to opposite sides thereof by screws or other fastenings. In the ends of this frame is ournalled the winch drum 22 which is provided with the crank arm 23 which projects past the adjacent side of the post 1.

To hold the crank arm when the cable is 'wound on the winch drum, I provide the stop arm 24 which is pivoted on the post and is adapted to be swung into and out of the path of the crank arm. A pin 25 serves as a stop on which the arm 24; rests when extended into the path of the crank arm.

The mode of operation is as follows when setting up the device: The arms 5 on the spindle 4 are extended, and braces 6 engaged with the pins 7. The spindle 4 is positioned in the bearings 3 and the step hanger engaged with the lower end thereof, the winch being operated to draw on the cable and hold the step hanger in position. The post may then be shipped in the socket 2, when the device is ready for use. The arms 5 are strung with the usual line for carrying the clothes. \Vhen clothes are to be hung out the winch is actuated to lower the spindle the full length of the .cable 15. The clothes may then be hung on the line 26. After the clothes are hung, the winch is operated to lift the spindle 4: until the clothes are sufiiciently elevated. The stop arm 24 is then swung into the path of the crank arm, and thus holds the movable parts in the elevated position. When the clothes are to be removed the operation is reversed.

From the above description it will be seen that I have devised a clothes drier to satis factorily attain the objects of my invention as set out in the preamble to this specificationv and that the device may be made mainly of standard materials obtainable in the open market. 4

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a clothes drier, the combination of a post; a spindle revolubly and slidably mounted on the post; and a step hanger for the spindle comprising a step bearing on which the spindle is revolubly mounted and a clamp member clamped about the step bearing, said clamp member being formed with a lug adapted to engage a side of the post to prevent the hanger turning and with a lug adapted for the connection of a lifting cable, the last mentioned lug being extended to contact with the post to co-operate with the first mentioned lug in preventing the turning of the step bearing.

2. In a clothes drier the combination of a square post; a spindle revolubly and slidably mounted on the post against one side thereof; and a step hanger for the spindle comprising a step bearing on which the spindle is revolubly mounted and a clamp member clamped about the step bearing, said clamp member being formed with a lug adapted to engage a side of the post at right angles to the side adjacent the spindle to prevent the hanger turning and with a lug adapted for the connection of a lifting cable, the last mentioned lug being extended and bent parallel to the first mentioned lug to contact with the side of the post opposite that contacted by the first mentioned lug to co-operate with the latter in preventing the turning of the step bearmg.

3. In a clothes drier the combination of a square post; a spindle revolubly and slidably mounted on the post at one side of the center line of one side of the post; a sheave mounted in the post at the other side of said center line; a cable extending over the sheave a winch mounted on the side of the post opposite the spindle to which the cable is connected; and a step hanger for said spindle provided with a step bearing for the spindle, a laterally extending lug to which the cable is connected in line with the sheave,and a lug engaging the post to prevent the turning of the hanger.

4. In a clothes drier the combination of a post; a spindle revolubly and slidably mounted on the post; and a step hanger for the spindle comprising a step bearing on which the spindle is revolubly mounted and a clamp member clamped about the step bearing, said clamp member being formed of an integral strap doubled on itself to provide at one side of the step bearing a lug of double material for the connection of a lifting cable, a lug of double material at right angles to the first mentioned lug adapted to engage a side of the post, and intermediate single portions embracing the step bearing.

Signed at Toronto this 5th day of July,-

WILLIAM J. COULTER. 

